ITALY, 2000
GO TO CHURCHILL © 1997 o2bnuk@webtv.net>
The Duomo and famous leaning tower of Pisa
This shows the guy wires around the tower to keep it from leaning further. There are also huge concrete weights at the base which serve the same purpose.
This is one of two remaining Etruscan arches in the world. It was built with no mortar and has stood for over 2,000 years.
Volterra
Roman theater, Volterra
The steam rising over the rolling fog comes from fumaroles and is sulphur gas. They are harnessing them for power.
This is the entrance to an ancient Etruscan tomb.
One of our wonderful, gourmet picnic lunches.
Castel Vecchio (old castle), a fortified village built in the 10th century and abandoned in the 13th century.
Rolling fog.
San Gimignano, the most perfectly preserved hilltown in Italy.
Ye olde watering hole. San Gimignano's ancient water source where the people got their water and did laundry. Don't know how they clum the hill back to their homes. Pant, gasp.
Market day. Vendors travel from town to town and you can buy everything from clothes to food.
Sigh, we were forced to eat yet another wonderful lunch prepared by David and Robert. Life is so cruel.
Our hotel, La Cisterna, in San Gimignano.
It's almost too pretty to use for tying horses.
Some of the 14 remaining (out of 72) 12th to 14th century towers in San Gimignano.
Badia Passignano, an abbey founded in the 9th century by Benedictine monks.
Guess he wanted some of our lunch.
Montefioralle (I think).
Radda in Chianti
Doesn't this look like a jack-o-lantern?
Siena's Cathedral
Magnificent fresco
This is our ceiling at home . . . . well, maybe not.
The motley crew
BACK TO MAIN PAGE
GO TO TRAVELOGUE FOR ITALY